13 May 2013

Finally, it looks like summer is here for the UK. No more scarves and woolen hats... unless, of course, your name is Patti and you live in Michigan. In which case, enjoy your snow *sticks tongue out*

A lot has been going on, and this month in particular is a very busy one for me. And with the way things are going, it looks like the rest of the year is going to be one hectic dash for the finish line. This month I've got a possible promotion at work, if I can just get past the interview and presentation, which I've been working on a lot this weekend. July will see me going off to Manchester for a fun-filled weekend of debauchery, aka the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet. October I'll be jetting off across the ocean for GayRomLit in Atlanta. Can't wait to see everyone again.

And while all this is going on, I have my book 'No Angel', which is currently contracted with Dreamspinner Press due out later this year. I've recently received a few forms to fill out with them about the blurb and cover art. I can't wait to see what they come up with for the cover, and I expect edits will start in a couple of months. Plus, I really need to finish Daeva 3: Return of Darkness before October, otherwise I may find myself under fire from an angry mob. *laughs nervously* I'm working on it. Honest!

My favourite of Sookie's love interests. Mmmm, Eric.

Just to top things off, as if I didn't give myself enough work to finish this year, I've started working on
an entirely new project that I'm quite excited about. It's a series of gay paranormal romance novels, similar to the Sookie Stackhouse, or Anita Blake books in that the main character will have a few love interests over the course of the series before finally getting his happy ever after with one of them. Granted, I have no delusions about them ever being as big as Harris and Hamilton, but I can dream. Aim high, and all that. This series demands a lot of world-building, from the supernatural races that inhabit the earth, to the magic systems, major world events, and even my main character's unusual diet. So I've been adding bit-by-bit to my research and creation of this world, and hope to have the world-building done by the time I'm finished up on my current projects. For now, watch this space for more information.

Also, I've been very busy working on my own personal goals, not just on my day job and my writing. Those of you who have me added on Facebook will probably be aware that I've been very active lately, doing my exercise on a regular basis. My goal is to get myself in shape by the time GRL comes round.

I've been spending a fair bit of time on the weights, trying to build up a bit of definition, especially in my stomach. But mostly, I've been working on my running and recently managed to complete a full 10k run in 62minutes and 12seconds. In just two weeks I've managed to knock that time down to 54minutes and 16seconds. My aim is to eventually get this time under 45minutes, which isn't going to be easy. Even at my current pace there are moments toward the end of the run when I feel like I can't go on, like the muscles in my legs are too heavy, and the end is so very far away. But I keep on going, focusing on one breath at a time, and before long I'm crossing the finish line.

Not sure what's more motivating... the song, or Jensen.

I think, maybe if I take this attitude with my writing, then the whole thing might not seem so daunting. Sure, I may only write one page tonight because I'm busy making sure everything is prepared for my interview, but it's still on page. Tomorrow I can do another page, and then another. It might not be a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it's still one step closer to the goal.

So, wish me luck. And I hope you all manage to reach your own goals as well.

The series sounds really interesting, and I trust you won't make the same mistakes as Hamilton and Harris. I hate how after several books it all became monotonous, any plot was well gone and characters acted so out of character that it made me give up buying the books.

I hate it when you have to work on something other than what you are craving to dive I to.

I'm pretty sure if you have a good editor, and or beta reader to help you, and you make them aware of any pitfalls you are trying to avoid, then you should be able to write this series without falling into the traps some others have.

Build up a character and world bible as you go, and note down just what each character would and would not do, then if they suddenly act really out of character, you'll need to be able to explain why, or change what happens, have another character take their place or something. But you probably knew this, sorry x